Divide detectives into groups of four students. They will use string circles to
create pentagons, hexagons and octagons.
First have the groups hold the string to create pentagons. They can create a
few different pentagons . Next explain that a regular pentagon has equal length
sides. Challenge them to create a regular pentagon. :
?
?
?
How could they tell if the pentagon is a regular pentagon? (Measure the
sides to see if they are equal in length).
How many different pentagons is it possible to make with the string? (an
infinite number.)
How many different regular pentagons is it possible to make with the
string? (One.)
Next, have the groups create hexagons. Have them create a few different hexagons with sides of different lengths. Then challenge them to create a regular
hexagon.
?
How many different hexagons is it possible to make with the string? (An
infinite number.)
?
How many different regular hexagons is it possible to make with the
string? (One.)
Now have the groups create octagons. Have them create a few different octagons with sides of different lengths. Then challenge them to create a regular
octagon.
?
How many different octagons is it possible to make with the string? (An
infinite number.)
?
How many different regular octagons is it possible to make with the
sting? (One.)
Take the class outside to hunt for these shapes. Have them list ones they find
on page 15 of their Math Clue Books. They can include ones in nature or ones
that are human-made.
Have the detectives draw and label a pentagon, hexagon, and octagon on the
Shapes Tool in their tool kits.
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*Tool Kits
*String circles
*Pencils
*Shapes Tool
*Tool kits
*Crayons
*Note cards
*Dowels
*String
*Math Clue Books